Jewish Unity: The Impossible Dream?

Let's unite the Jewish people for one minute.

An Israeli woman had a brainstorm: To call for a day of worldwide Jewish prayer sometime before Purim. Well, not exactly a day. Really one minute. Her idea was to get all the Jews in the world to stop what they are doing at exactly 12 o’clock noon on February 24 and recite, “Acheinu,” a prayer from the siddur [Jewish prayer book] that starts, “Our brothers, the entire Family of Israel, who are in distress…” By getting all the Jews to pray for all the Jews a true moment of Jewish unity would be achieved.

The innovator of this idea got Israel’s greatest rabbis, such as Rav Eliashuv, to endorse the plan. I belong to an international movement called The Jewish Women’s Project for Ahavas Yisrael [www.ayproject.com] devoted to promoting love and unity among Jews. We undertook to disseminate the idea for the Worldwide Prayer among English-speaking Jews.

Moments of Jewish unity are rarer than snowstorms in Jerusalem.

But I was dubious that we Jews could do it. Moments of Jewish unity are rarer than snowstorms in Jerusalem. Of course, Purim was such a moment. Faced with Haman’s plan of genocide, the Jews united and repented. In fact, the edict of genocide itself was predicated on our lack of unity. When Haman pitched his nefarious plan to King Ahashveros, he described the Jews as “a people scattered and dispersed among the nations.” When Esther decided to try to save the Jews, she directed Mordechai: “Go gather all the Jews.” Unity has always been a prerequisite for our redemption.

In fact, the four mitzvahs of Purim all engender love and togetherness among Jews. We assemble to hear the reading of the Megillah; we send gifts of food to our neighbors; we give charity to the destitute; and we get together with relatives and friends for a festive meal.

This is why the week before Purim was chosen for the Worldwide Prayer of Jewish unity. On a national level we are threatened (once again from Persia) with murder of the six million Jews presently living in Israel. On an individual level, we all know friends and relatives who are afflicted with serious diseases, depression, food disorders, addictions, or other maladies. Praying for “the entire Family of Israel who are in distress” aptly covers all of us. But can we do it?

ENLIGHTENED BY MY EMAIL

My flagging faith in our ability to unite was restored from the most unlikely source: my inbox. One day a couple weeks ago I received an email from Chabad asking -- no, pleading with —me to sign a petition to save the life of Martin Grossman. I had never heard of Martin Grossman. The email explained that 25 years ago, when he was 19 years old, Martin Grossman heinously murdered a policewoman. Although Martin had an IQ of 77, was on drugs at the time, and has sincerely regretted his crime, the email did not plead his innocence. Rather, while fully admitting his guilt, the petition was asking the Governor of Florida to stay Martin’s execution and instead sentence him to life in prison without parole.

Two days later another appeal to save Martin Grossman’s life appeared in my inbox. This one was from a different organization, one on the left of the spectrum of Orthodox Judaism. The next day I received another appeal for Martin Grossman from an organization on the right of the Orthodox spectrum.

Groups, and tens of thousands of individual Jews, who rarely agreed on anything were uniting to save the life of one admittedly guilty Jew.

I was amazed. We were doing it! Groups, and tens of thousands of individual Jews, who rarely agreed on anything were uniting in a campaign to save the life of one admittedly guilty Jew. And this is the crux of that campaign and of all efforts at Jewish unity. When we hate other Jews—individuals or groups--we point to the fact that they are WRONG. Wrong in their theology. Wrong in their politics. Wrong in their conduct. Of course it’s easy to love individuals and groups with sterling character traits and viewpoints similar to ours. There can be no Jewish unity, however, without loving Jews we don’t admire, don’t agree with, and don’t even like.

Paul Fleming, a columnist in a Florida newspaper named the Ft. Myers News-Press, criticized the efforts of Jews to save Martin Grossman simply because he was Jewish: “These folks are welcome to fight against Grossman’s execution for whatever reasons they choose. However when the next death warrant is signed and the next of Florida’s 394 death-row inmates is scheduled for execution, I expect… those who oppose Grossman’s sentence to once again… ask the governor for a stay. We’ll see.”

There’s nothing wrong, Mr. Fleming, with Jews rallying to save a fellow Jew even though we will not be launching a campaign to save the next death-row inmate. There’s a mitzvah to visit the sick. No one, however, has the time and energy to visit every sick patient in every hospital. But if my brother or cousin is sick, I’ll interrupt my schedule and make even major efforts to get to the hospital, because the patient is my family. And as I walk to his ward, I don’t have to apologize to every patient along the corridor that I will not be visiting her as well.

Loving other Jews doesn’t mean not loving anyone outside the family. But it does mean loving every single member of the Jewish family, no matter how much we might despise their actions or their attitudes.

Jews from across the spectrum flooded Florida Governor Crist ‘s office with some 50,000 e-mails, phone calls, and letters urging him to commute Martin Grossman’s death sentence. Nevertheless, Martin was executed as scheduled on February 16.

Before receiving the lethal injection, Martin recited Shema Yisrael. His last words were: “Ahavas Yisrael” (love for all Jews).

THE PRAYER

So apparently we can do it. We can unite for one minute at noon this Wednesday, February 24, and recite this prayer of Jewish unity:

Our brothers, the entire family of Israel, who are in distress and captivity, whether they are on sea or dry land—may the Omnipresent One have mercy on them and remove them from distress to relief, from darkness to light, from subjugation to redemption, now, speedily , and soon—and let us say, Amen.

Please disseminate this article to all the Jews you know and ten Jews you don’t know. Let’s go global with Jewish unity.

For the 20th yahrzeit of my father, Yisrael ben Yosef Yehuda.

Sara Yoheved Rigler’s all-encompassing online marriage program, “Choose Connection: How to Revive and Rejuvenate Your Marriage” is available to Aish.com readers at a special price. Click here for more info: http://www.jewishworkshops.com/webinars/connection/

About the Author

Sara Yoheved Rigler is a popular international lecturer on subjects of Jewish spirituality. She has given lectures and workshops in Israel, England, France, South Africa, Mexico, Canada, Chile, Panama, and over 35 American cities. She is one of the most popular authors on Aish.com, world’s biggest Judaism website, and is a columnist for Ami Magazine. Sara Yoheved Rigler is the author of five best-sellers: Holy Woman; Lights from Jerusalem; Battle Plans: How to Fight the Yetzer Hara (with Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller); G-d Winked; and Heavenprints . She gives a weekly Marriage Webinar for Jewish Workshops on a spiritual approach to marriage, with hundreds of members throughout the world. She lives in the Old City of Jerusalem. Her newest book, Emunah with Love and Chicken Soup, the story of Henny Machlis, the Brooklyn-born girl who became a Jerusalem legend, was was released in November, 2016. Her website is: sararigler.com.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 19

(19)
Shoshana - Jerusalem,
February 10, 2013 2:46 PM

Acheinu

I live in what some people refer to as an "ultra-Orthodox" community, though we are not at all ultra and simply try our best to follow the Torah, to the exact letter and spirit of the Law. And every one of us, as best as I know, including the school children, here and in every Chareidi community in Israel, says the "Acheinu" prayer every day of the week, and we've been doing so for years already, ever since Rav Eliyashiv, of blessed memory, and other Rabbanim, suggested this.
Furthermore, there is so much outreach here and nobody is against any other Jew just because he is less observant.
I mention this because of some comments here and elsewhere accuse the religious communities of being just for themselves and not caiing for other Jews, and nothing could be further from the truth.

(18)
alexandra,
December 14, 2010 4:38 PM

this is the core of jewish redemption

thank you for writting this article .
Let us daven right so that it became reality and no more theory

(17)
shlomo,
November 8, 2010 12:38 PM

save all jews

I think time and again the story of Ester and say gosh if mordechai could do it so can we today so intead of fighting who is right left wingers right wingers people of faith non faith it has come to this the world seems to hate us all equally so lets not just have this one day of fast lets bring it into our daily lives and really think about it long and hard not just to love Jewish people in bad times but in good as well!

(16)
Andy,
February 26, 2010 5:51 PM

Re Mr Paul Fleming ?

I read this 2/26 and missed 2/24 so hope we try again. Re Paul Flemimg's comment. This was not an issue of people opposing capital punishment. There are many Jews against cp[aital punishment that do rally to try and prevent all executions. That was not the case in this instance. Those who tried to prevent the execution of M Grossman did so because they believed a life sentence was justified in his case. Nothing in the article would lead one to believe that the groups involved would be against executiing other Jews found guilty of murder. it depends on the circumstances

(15)
ana,
February 25, 2010 12:53 AM

To "Pleasant"

I am sorry that you have had such pain. It shouldn't be this way. I hope you get to meet good people, Jewish men and women, who think and behave the way they should and treat you with love and respect. I also hope that you look for good in others and see their goodness and that you will always think and act just as you would hope and expect others to do.

(14)
Robert,
February 24, 2010 10:37 PM

The Joy of Keeping Faith

Marty & Pleasant -- no one ever said it is easy to be a Jew. Nor that our examples of good will toward mankind will be emulated by every soul we encounter. But it is for our own spiritual uplifting and righteous humility that we behave in such ways. And although "everyone" may never "get it," the more who practice tikkun olam, the better a world we -- you, me, all of us -- will live in.

(13)
Mordechai Cohen,
February 24, 2010 5:41 PM

I am proud to pray with my brothers and sisters

AMEN....

(12)
Dvirah,
February 24, 2010 10:16 AM

Opposition and Unity

I also received the repeated appeals concerning Martin Grossman but upon researching the story, concluded that he did not receive a more severe sentence than would have a non-Jew in the same circumstances and therefore should not have the sentence changed ONLY because he was Jewish. In that situation I stood in opposition to the appealing groups.
However, you may rejoice in that I did recite the prayer as requested today at noontime.

(11)
Anonymous,
February 23, 2010 11:17 PM

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! I WILL DEFINITLY DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(10)
Borris Jovanovich,
February 23, 2010 8:24 PM

United we pray as one nation under one God -Amen

Stand united nation of Israel,hold on to what is precious in our heart,mind and soul .Let us give thanks to Everlasting Father and Creator the One Living G-D and let us ask Him for blessing and protection for each Jewish person throughout this globe as solid family unit .Amen.
Our brothers, the entire family of Israel, who are in distress and captivity, whether they are on sea or dry land—may the Omnipresent One have mercy on them and remove them from distress to relief, from darkness to light, from subjugation to redemption, now, speedily , and soon—and let us say, Amen.

(9)
Pleasant,
February 23, 2010 7:07 PM

I like this! ;D

So does this mean I am going to stop having chabad rabbis tell me that I'm not really jewish because I converted conservative? Cool. Or how about pretty much anyone 'born' jewish who looks down on me as a 'newcomer'? That would be nice. Or how about people realizing I am a 'coming-backer' after two generations of ancestors who left to hide from various oppressors? That would be exquisite. "If my father and mother forsake me, the Lord shall lift me up." That is my favorite quote right now.

(8)
marty,
February 23, 2010 6:03 PM

What about the jewish jew haters?

Jewish Colleague at work is pro-palestinian. he actively works for them. He actively works against Israel. he leaves anti-Israel articles anonymously, in my mail box.
What do you do with him?

(7)
Anonymous,
February 23, 2010 4:08 PM

Just an idea , Could open up a prayer email line and many jewish people could send in prayers or place names there and thoughts on how to become closer. on that day Feb 24 .

(6)
Will Edwards,
February 23, 2010 4:06 PM

very good point

We are all brothers and sisters and even though we are separated by distance and/or recognition we should still be as brothers and sisters to each other. I, am only a fraction Jewish on my mother's side and as such have long been shunned by most of the, as it was put to me, fully Jewish members of my community, yet I feel a kinship probably because it is the only kinship I have. Most of my fellows are full blood Hebrew yet rarely if at all do they even consult Torah or lead a "Jewish" life. I am trying to learn and adapt from a live completely devoid of any religious training and the more I do the more I crave it. I think you are absolutely right in your call for unity even if for only a minute one day a year.

(5)
Mira,
February 23, 2010 4:35 AM

Thank you, I will!

(4)
Gavin-Chaim Marsden,
February 22, 2010 10:01 PM

This is a great idea.May all Jews say this prayer at 12 wherever
we may be.One point I would like to make.Perhaps Paul Fleming has a point.As a rule,the Jewish people do not believe in capital punishment.We are obligated to serve as a light unto the nations. Being concerned about ones family is important and natural.Being concerned about others beside from your family is noble and transcendent.Sure there is not time to visit everyone in hospital but there is time to find out who has not been visited and maybe taking an extra minute to ask after their welfare and offer them a smile whether they are Jewish or not.Maybe we need to petition the Governor of Florida to grant life imprisonment to all death row prisoners.Looking after our family is indeed most important but looking after the world is our task

(3)
Ayala Kohn,
February 22, 2010 2:08 PM

But how?

I was caught by the title of this article, but felt a little sad when I read the date and time chosen for this great moment of unity. Being a Sunday School director and teacher, i feel disheartened that I cannot share this with my students and their families. In America, there is a good portion of Jews - affiliated Jews- who care so much for their community, for Israel and for Am Yisrael, but live secular lives. On Tuesday at noon many of these children are in public school, or secular private schools where the cannot take part in a prayer for unity. I know there must be a reason for the date and time chosen, I just can't help but feel that it should have been on a Shabboss or Sunday when it would have been easier to include ALL jews in our communities. Nevertheless, I commend you on this endeavor and hope the message of this prayer reaches the hearts of many Jews worldwide.

(2)
Yonah,
February 22, 2010 1:23 PM

Thank you.

(1)
shoshana,
February 22, 2010 12:52 PM

this is a great idea.
i am going to see if we can do it in my school (over 400 people)
one quick question if everyone is supposed to say it at the same time... is it 12 in US or 12 in Israel and what about the rest of the world?
we should all say it at 12 our time?
EDITOR'S RESPONSE: Since they want to accomodate schools, the organizers decided it would be best to do 12 noon whatever time zone you live in.

I always loved the story of Jonah and the whale. Why do we read it during the afternoon service of Yom Kippur?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Let's recap the story: God tells Jonah to go to Ninveh and to prophesy that in 40 days, God will destroy the city. Instead, Jonah goes to Jaffa, boards a ship, and sails for Tarshish. A great storm arises. Frightened, Jonah goes to sleep in the ship's hold. The sailors somehow recognize that Jonah is responsible for the storm. They throw him overboard, and the sea becomes calm.

A great fish swallows Jonah. Then three days later, God commands the fish to spit Jonah back out upon dry land. God tells Jonah, "Let's try it again. Go to Ninveh and tell them in 40 days I will destroy the city."

The story is a metaphor for our struggle for clarity. Jonah is the soul. The soul is assigned to sanctify the world, and draw it close to God. But we are seduced by the world's beauty. (Jaffa in Hebrew means "beauty.") The ship is the body, the sea is the world, and the storm is life's pains and troubles. God hopes confrontation with mortality will inspire us to examine our lives. But Jonah's is the more common response - we go to sleep (have a beer, turn on the television). The sailors throw Jonah overboard - this is death. The fish that swallows Jonah is the grave. Jonah is spat back upon the land - reincarnation. And the Almighty tells us to try again. "Go sanctify the world and bring it close to God."

Each of us is born with an opportunity and a challenge. We each have unique gifts to offer the world and unique challenges to perfect ourselves. If we leave the task unfinished the first time, we get a second chance. Jonah teaches us that repentance can reverse a harsh decree. If the residents of Ninveh had the ability to correct their mistakes and do teshuva, how much more so do we have the ability to correct our former mistakes and do teshuva.

(source: "The Bible for the Clueless But Curious," by Rabbi Nachum Braverman)

In 1948, Egypt launched a large-scale offensive against the Negev region of Israel. This was part of the War of Independence, an attack by five Arab armies designed to "drive the Jews into the sea." Though the Jews were under-armed, untrained, and few in number, through ingenuity and perseverance they staved off the attacks and secured the borders. Yet the price was high -- Israel lost 6,373 of its people, a full one percent of the Jewish population of Israel at the time.

And what does teshuvah consist of? [Repentance to the degree] that the One Who knows all that is hidden will testify that he will never again repeat this sin(Maimonides, Laws of Teshuvah 2:2).

"How can this be?" ask the commentaries. "Inasmuch as man always has free choice to do good or evil, to sin or not to sin, how can God testify that a person will never repeat a particular sin? Is this not a repudiation of one's free will?"

The answer to this came to me at a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, at which the speaker, a man who had been sober for twenty-one years, said, "The man I was drank. The man I was will drink again. But now I am a different man."

A sin does not occur in a vacuum. A person who is devout does not abruptly decide to eat treifah. A sin occurs when a person is in such a state that a particular act is not anathema to him.

Consequently, repentance is not complete if one merely regrets having done wrong. One must ask, "How did this sin ever come about? In what kind of a state was I that permitted me to commit this sin?"

True repentance thus consists of changing one's character to the point where, as the person is now, one can no longer even consider doing the forbidden act. Of course, the person's character may deteriorate - and if it does, he may sin again.

God does not testify that the person will never repeat the sin, but rather that his degree of repentance and correction of his character defects are such that, as long as he maintains his new status, he will not commit that sin.

Today I shall...

try to understand how I came to do those things that I regret having done, and bring myself to a state where such acts will be alien to me.

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